Technically you're right, Roland but Liemco is just a few miles from where I live and in a direction I pass often, while Albany where Chris's Coffee is located is a town over from a place I go to once or twice a month anyway. Either would have been easy and saved me packing and at least $50 in shipping charges. I'd love to overhaul it myself but I live two blocks from the beach and was badly hit by Sandy; I already have more than enough rebuilding projects to keep me busy til Summer.

ROLAND!! Do as was said regarding OE. Doug is a lever guru. And...I'm not exactly a mechanical wizard, but I have performed all maintanance on my Cremina.With all the information, printed and videos, you can do this. And, like when you get a puppy, the "nursing" back to health of your cremina will make you love her even more.I'm not sure if Doug and Barb are servicing in house presently, as they are working 24 hours a day manufacturing there uber manual grinders, and lots of other goodies.It would be worth an email to find out.

ROLAND!! Do as was said regarding OE. Doug is a lever guru. And...I'm not exactly a mechanical wizard, but I have performed all maintanance on my Cremina.With all the information, printed and videos, you can do this. And, like when you get a puppy, the "nursing" back to health of your cremina will make you love her even more.I'm not sure if Doug and Barb are servicing in house presently, as they are working 24 hours a day manufacturing there uber manual grinders, and lots of other goodies.It would be worth an email to find out.

EDIT...you're talking about a machine that, with a few updates is selling for $3800 new!$1200 and up used.DO NOT, under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES give it to someone with NO , or little experience with a machine of this quality.

It was me, IMAWriter, not Roland who asked the original question, and have no qualms, my Cremina has already been partially disassembled, securely packed up and sent out to Orphan Espresso. I look forward to maintaning it in the future, but this is an '84 machine which had never been serviced, lubed or had any seals replaced, and sat in a basement open for many years, probably 20. After e-mailing them, I felt that I should have Doug restore it since his knowledge as to its condition and viability would be far beyond anything I could garner from their videos and instructionals. Plus I don'yet have all the necessary tools and parts or ability to fabricate any needed parts.

Roland,Just saw this thread. My experience mirrors yours...bought a Cremina from Zabars in 1992...never used it. Pulled it out several months ago, and decided to see what it (I) could do. The machine worked perfectly from the moment I fired it up. Even at that early stage of figuring out how to use it, the espresso was majorly better than anything I ever managed to get from my HX machine (QuickMill Anita). Also, I've relied on OE for gaskets and seals, which I have found relatively easy to replace....the machine is a simple mechanical device, not a byzantine welter of pumps, tubes, and electrical connections. Having said that, your decision to send the machine to OE is absolutely the right one. You will get back a perfectly restored machine that makes great espresso, and will last for years (and years). But it sounds like you already know that.

I live in the New York area...90 miles north of NYC, about an hour south of Albany. If you want to see a 1992 Cremina in action, you are welcome to stop by on your next trip north and make some espresso. Ed

Hi,I'm a coffee machine technician, I'm working for a company in NYC. I take care of all the olympia cremina that come to the store.Since the last 5 months, I fixed and rebuiled more than 15 olympia cremina. I can take a look to it if you are interested.Its will be a pleasure.

It was me, IMAWriter, not Roland who asked the original question, and have no qualms, my Cremina has already been partially disassembled, securely packed up and sent out to Orphan Espresso. I look forward to maintaning it in the future, but this is an '84 machine which had never been serviced, lubed or had any seals replaced, and sat in a basement open for many years, probably 20. After e-mailing them, I felt that I should have Doug restore it since his knowledge as to its condition and viability would be far beyond anything I could garner from their videos and instructionals. Plus I don'yet have all the necessary tools and parts or ability to fabricate any needed parts.

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